Aspirin toxicity in cats, also referred to as salicylate toxicity, can come in several forms other than just aspirin and even very small dosages can be very dangerous to your pet. In come cases, they can actually take your cats life very quickly. Aspirin should never be given to a cat unless it is recommended and monitored closely by your veterinarian, and even than it should be done in very specific ways.

This drug is so dangerous to your cat that it can very rapidly cause vomiting that will almost always be bloody, severe abdominal pain, increased respiratory rates, and acute kidney failure. If the dosage exceeds the toxic level and is repeated, it can also induce a coma in your cat which could rapidly cause their death.

This drug, considered safe for dogs, which is also incorrect, is one of the most toxic drugs your cat can be exposed to simply because your pet can not metabolize the ingredients. Since they can not be metabolized, your pet can not excrete them from their system. It rapidly affects almost every organ in your cats body including bone marrow.

As dangerous as it is to cats, it is almost twice as dangerous to kittens, even in the simplest of forms.

It is extremely important to understand that aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid as well as salicylate, both of which are also found in other very familiar drugs that we use commonly. The other drug that you may give to your cat is Pepto Bismol, which is just as dangerous as aspirin.

Symptoms:

There are several symptoms that you can watch for with Aspirin toxicity in the event that your cat has accidentally ingested it, or someone has given it to them and is not aware of how toxic it actually is.

The symptoms will start to appear in your cat within 4 to 6 hours and signals an acute overdose which is very common with any drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate. The early symptoms will be a very sudden bout of depression which is quickly followed by a complete loss of your cats appetite.

They than develop gastrointestinal symptoms that include vomiting that will include signs of blood, and well as very black stools. The next symptom is usually respiratory problems that include your cat starting to pant. Panting in cats should only occur if your cat has been severely frightened; if it occurs at any time other than that, something is terribly wrong with your cat.

If the aspirin toxicity is severe enough and not identified and vomiting is not induced, your cat can easily show signs of an acute kidney failure because they are failing as a result of this toxicity. The final symptom will be your cat losing total consciousness and falling into a coma. Once they reach this stage, there is very little hope.

Understanding the Severity;

To help to understanding exactly how severe these very toxic drugs are to your cat, it helps to understand exactly what levels you are dealing with.

Aspirin toxicity occurs in cats once they have ingested more than 11 mg, or milligrams of its ingredients. There is a huge misconception that exists that it is not harmful to give your cat children’s aspirin, and it is exactly that, a misconception that could jeopardize you cat after only one dose as baby aspirin contains 81 mg. of the toxic ingredients.

Cutting the baby aspirin in half is still almost four times the toxic level that a cat can tolerate. One regular aspirin contains 325 mg. and an extra strength aspirin contains a whopping 500 mg. And Pepto-Bismol is just as bad, as it contains over 300 mg of the chemical salicylate per tablet. One tablespoon of liquid is slightly less deadly, but not much as it contains 262 mg.

Even one half of either a baby aspirin or Pepto-Bismol tablet can so severely impact your cat that within 4 to 6 hours it has began to stimulate your pets brain respiratory center to the point that they panting excessively. However, this small one half dosage of baby aspirin toxicity does not end there.

It also severely impacts your cat blood platelets which help to bind the blood and induces the clotting process. As a result of this overdose, spontaneous bleeding may also occur. If you suddenly see bruising appearing on your cats skin or on their gums, they have literally been poisoned.

Reaction time:

If your cat has suffered Aspirin toxicity you will immediately need to seek assistance form a veterinarian and the quickest way is to call the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center which is 1-8884ANI-HELP, or 1-888-426-4435. You can also call the Pet Poison Hotline number which is a 24 hour service throughout all of North America at 1-800-213-6680.

Almost without exception, they will advise you to immediately induce vomiting in your cat. There are several ways to do this, but the safest way is with Hydrogen peroxide. Syrup of Ipecac is recommended by several people, but it should only be used if you are instructed specifically by a veterinarian as it in itself is very dangerous as well as toxic to your cat.

Hydrogen peroxide that is found in most any standard form is three percent strength, which is very safe and effective. Do not use hair color strength peroxide. The label on all regular three percent hydrogen peroxide says that it is toxic simply because it can induce vomiting. In this case, this is exactly what you want.

The dosage that you should use is one teaspoon per every ten pounds of body weight. The quickest and most effective way is to use an oral syringe and one teaspoon equals 5 cc or 5 ml. Once you have given your cat the solution, make them walk as they need to shake up the contents of their stomach. If by chance it does not work, it is safe to repeat a second time, but only if it is absolutely necessary.

Summary:

Aspirin toxicity in cats can be an accident, but in most every case it is the result of an owner or someone wanting to help a cat that is unaware of the sever implications of this deadly substance to cats.

Your veterinarian may at some point in your cat life administer aspirin as a treatment, but it will be in very small doses, enteric-coated, and given over a span of several days. We all know how curious cats are and that bottle of aspirin that you may carry in your purse or briefcase may be too much for your cat to resist, and it can result in a tragic accident with your cat.

Liquid Vitamins for Humans Cats and Dogs

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I would like to know what veterinary qualifications the poster has - there is something from him/her almost every day on this forum - I don't think anyone should be posting advice on treating poisoning in cats, or indeed any disease or disorder, unless they are a qualified vet. Also, the emergency numbers given are in the US so not a lot of use to us in the UK!

In case of suspected poisoning a vet should be consulted immediately.

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I was very specific in my intro if you bothered to read it, but looks like you did not.

Bio...

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 15 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process

If everyone that posted everything had to be a vet----come now--the world is full of life experience and first hand experience. if you have to be a vet you cant post--are you really serious?

I write an article every night for my website and all proceeds go to animal shelters and I always recommend to talk to your vet first

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notes from article


Almost without exception, they will advise you to immediately induce vomiting in your cat. There are several ways to do this, but the safest way is with Hydrogen peroxide. Syrup of Ipecac is recommended by several people, but it should only be used if you are instructed specifically by a veterinarian as it in itself is very dangerous as well as toxic to your cat.

But you know what---enough is enough with your site--I guess I am just dumb with nothing to offer so I will take eveything elsewhere

Good Day

All I would say in that case is that you should quote the sources for any information you post on this and other sites.

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